State declines to request or back $9 million in health grants

Gov. Scott Walker's health secretary has declined to make or back applications for federal public health grants that could have totaled more than $9 million over the next five years.

Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith hasn't signed onto grants that would have focused on fighting drug and alcohol abuse; assessing health impacts of public policies; and signing up state residents who qualify for state health programs, officials at the agency and other health groups said. The changes reflect a marked difference in the way the new Republican administration approaches questions of public health and federal grants compared with the administration of former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.